Inclusivity & Accessibility
We're working on making the Festival accessible to everyone.
Introduction
The entire creative community comes together at Cannes Lions. And this year at the Festival, we’re continuing our work to ensure every voice is heard, and everyone is included.
This guide will give you all the information you need to plan your visit if you have accessibility requirements. We’ve got a dedicated team onsite to support you, and by updating your preferences online for your badge, you can request to receive line skip and access to reserved seating at our main stages.
Accessing the Festival
We recommend you join an accessible tour of the Festival perimeter, hosted by our Cannes Lions team. You can book this via the Cannes Lions 2025 app when it launches. If you can’t make the available sessions, contact us drop by the dedicated meeting point and we’ll be happy to arrange a time for you.
Your badge & access
Everyone will need to wear a badge onsite at all times – this will be your passport to the Festival. Badge collection is at the Gare Maritime, and you’ll find an accessible desk in the Fast Track lane. You can let us know ahead of time if you have reduced mobility or special requirements by updating your pass registration details online or by contacting us.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to staff when you arrive – they’ll be easy to spot in ‘Staff’ t-shirts and badges.
Accessibility
We offer reserved seating at our main stages and line skip for anyone with reduced mobility. There’ll be a discreet icon on your badge to let staff know you require access to these services. You can request this via the online pass registration form, at the Gare Maritime registration desks or one of our Info Desks. This also includes adjustments that we already have in place, e.g. ramps, accessible lifts, quiet lounges, mental health aiders or other requirements.
An accessibility team will be available onsite during Festival hours to offer support and assistance. They’re available to guide you around the venue and help you with anything you need.
Interactive map in the Cannes Lions 2025 app
Our 2025 app will feature a detailed interactive map to help you navigate the Festival grounds with ease. The map will highlight key accessibility features, including the locations of lifts, accessible entrances and bathrooms. It will also provide information on other essential services to ensure you have everything you need at your fingertips for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Stages
Most stages are equipped with accessibility features like ramps, designated seating areas and accessible restrooms for delegates and speakers. Lifts are available to access different levels if needed.
Entrances
Entrances to venues typically have ramps or designated accessible entrances for wheelchair users.
ASL
ASL Interpreters will be on the mainstages (Lumière, Debussy, Terrace and Rotonde), in seminars throughout the week and at every Awards Show.
CART Captioning
CART captioning will be on the main stages (Lumière, Debussy, Terrace and Rotonde) in seminars throughout the week and at every Awards Show.
Partner activations
We work hard to make sure our partner beach activations are as accessible as possible – with pathways for wheelchair users and accessible seating areas. However, while we encourage all our partners to make sure their activations are fully accessible in the pre-planning stage, we can't always guarantee this from our side.
LinkedIn Space Accessibility
As a key partner of the festival, LinkedIn values and champions accessibility for all. Unfortunately, due to the hotel's design and build, one of the various LinkedIn spaces at the Carlton is inaccessible.
Please see further details on LinkedIn space accessibility as follows:
- Carlton Rooftop Stage | The main stage where LinkedIn sessions will take place is not fully accessible. However, all sessions will be livestreamed to the LinkedIn Penthouse, which is fully accessible and includes a designated viewing area.
- LinkedIn Penthouse | This space is fully accessible and will serve as a livestream viewing area for all sessions happening on the Rooftop Stage on the official Cannes Lions festival programme.
- LinkedIn Terrace at Ruya Restaurant | LinkedIn will also open their terrace area at the Ruya Restaurant within the Carlton during designated delegate open hours. This space is also fully accessible.
Closing Party
The Closing Party offers full accessibility, with ramps and lifts so you can access different areas of the venue.
Bringing someone to support you at the Festival
A personal assistant or essential companion
If you’d like to bring someone to help you get around the Festival grounds, please reach out to us for further information.
Service & emotional support animals
We’re accommodating to anyone who needs to bring a service or emotional support animal to the Festival. Just get in touch and we’ll sort it out for you.
Finding your way at the Festival
If you haven’t been to the Festival before, we’ve got you covered with our top tips to help you plan your day. You’ll see the location of everything in the Cannes Lions 2025 app, including how long it takes to get to each place. Note that parts of the Croisette may be pedestrianised during the Festival, so you can get around easier. Keep an eye out for designated pedestrian zones, which make walking safer.
Wheelchair access
Plan your route:
We’re here to help you familiarise yourself with the Festival layout and identify accessible pathways to key destinations. You can book an accessible tour in the Cannes Lions 2025 app, and we also have a support team on standby during Festival hours. If you can’t make the pre-arranged tours, get in touch – we’ll be able to organise another time that suits you.
Opt for the beachside route:
The pavement along the beachside of the Croisette tends to be wider, providing more space for wheelchair users to navigate comfortably.
Utilise accessible facilities:
Many venues and partner activations offer accessible facilities and services for disabled people. Don't hesitate to inquire about accessibility options when planning your itinerary.
Childcare
Childcare
We’re partnering with Nipperbout to offer you complimentary childcare at the Festival. It's available every morning and afternoon during Festival week and the registration deadline is 13 May.
Creative Kids Corner
A calming space in the Palais dedicated to families attending Cannes Lions, open all week. You’ll find this in the basement too, filled with toys, beanbags and drawing materials – perfect for kids to play. There’s also an area for them to lay down and unwind.
Quiet spaces
Looking for some quiet time away from the Festival buzz? Head to our designated spaces:
The Quiet Lounge
A calming space open to everyone, all week – located a few minutes away from the main stages inside the Palais. A no-laptop, no-call area, the Quiet Lounge is your space to use if you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to take a moment for yourself.
Multi-Faith Room
Signposted in the app and located in the Palais, Level –1 (basement).
Nursing Room
A private space for parents to pump or breastfeed, just around the corner from the Quiet Lounge in the Palais, Level –1 (basement).
Resources for those with visual impairment
We’ve got a range of services and support onsite to help those with visual impairment access the full Festival experience.
Colour-coded walkway
We’ve created a designated colour-coded walkway outside the Festival venue. This visually distinct path is designed to support easier navigation for individuals with visual impairments – offering a clearer, more accessible route.
Support services
People with visual impairment can access support services throughout the Festival. This includes assistance with navigating the venue, accessing information and participating in Festival activities.
Food & drink
We’ve worked with venue caterers to give you a greater variety of choice across the Festival. Vegetarian and vegan options will be widely available, as well as a range of non-alcoholic drinks at all bars and networking events. All allergens and ingredients will be clearly highlighted across all food products and menus.
Travel, accommodation & exploring the city
Travel
Wherever you’re travelling from this June, we’ve got all the accessibility information you need to make the journey straightforward.
Accommodation
Many accommodation options in and around Cannes are fully accessible to those with reduced mobility. If you need any assistance, you can reach out to our accommodation partners bnetwork for further information.
Equity, Representation and Accessibility
Cannes Lions brings the global creative community together. We know that creativity is at its best when it includes people from a diverse range of backgrounds, in the Festival and beyond. So, this year we’re continuing our work to make sure everyone is included and celebrated.
Talent Programmes
As we look to the future of Cannes Lions, our focus is on creating opportunities, providing access and nurturing the next generation of creatives in the making. Take a look at how we’re doing it:
- The ERA Pass programme: In 2024, we introduced our Equity, Representation and Accessibility (ERA) Programme aimed at promoting diversity in the creative industry and at Cannes Lions. As part of our mission to drive progress, each year, we commit to distributing up to €2m in complimentary passes to support underrepresented and underserved communities. Find out more.
- See It Be It: We know that women and non-binary people are still heavily outnumbered at a leadership level. We want to change this, so every year we invite 16 women and non-binary people for a four-day Festival programme full of learnings, masterclasses and mentorship. Find out more.
- Young Lions: Our dedicated pass helps early career creatives and students under 30 experience the Festival at a reduced price point.
- LIONS Academies: We’ve got a range of academies to help rising talent fast-track their careers, including our Roger Hatchuel Student Academy and our Brand Marketer Academy.
- LIONS Scholarship: Helping the next generation of talent access the Festival with 10 fully-funded places across the Brand Marketers Academy and the Creative Academy.
We’ve also partnered with brands and initiatives across the industry to provide opportunities for a range of diverse groups and emerging talent. Find out what we’re doing.
Festival Statement on Conflict
We invite everyone to pause and acknowledge the ongoing situation, where communities are facing conflict, attacks, war and displacement worldwide – which is leading to loss of life and humanitarian crisis.
We advocate for peace in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16 and will continue to strive to develop an equitable, representative, accessible and inclusive space for all. In 2024, we donated the proceeds from the SDG Lions to organisations that provide essential and immediate long-term humanitarian assistance to impacted communities worldwide.
Contact the team
We’re always looking to improve your experience at the Festival. If you have any inquiries or feedback regarding accessibility, we’d love to hear from you.
Accessibility and special requests: Email: accessibility@canneslions.com Phone number: +44 (0) 2070461155 - we’ll also have a direct line available closer to the Festival date.
Accommodation: Email: canneslions@bnetwork.com
Phone: +33 (0) 4 93 68 76 00
While onsite in Cannes, dial 112 for immediate assistance from police, fire or ambulance services. Find out more.
All requests: If you have any questions, please email the team at delegates@canneslions.com and we’ll be able to further assist you.